Because of the nature of the Maycomb population, the same families have lived there for nearly two hundred years. As a result some people feel that each family seems to inherit particular characteristics. They can say that a Cunningham can always be trusted and that the Ewell's are dishonest. This leads to social division: every family is categorised on a particular scale and it is important to mix with the "right," family. Aunt Alexandra is particularly prone to this kind of snobbery. She tries to prevent the children playing with the Cunningham's because they lack "background." Atticus is against this kind of social classification, preferring to judge a person on individual merit.

The Cunningham's are a family of very poor farmers who live in the north of the county. Their roles in the novel are varied but significant: they act mainly as a contrast to Ewell family. The...